Razor sharpening device



Aug. 28, 1934. R. w. McMULLEN RAZOR SHARPENING DEVICE Filed June 1'7,1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fair?! il f/fc/ alerz Aug. 28, 1934. R. w.MCMULLEN 1,971,867

RAZOR SHARPENING DEVICE Filed Jun ,17 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PatentedAug. 28, 1934-- PATENT OFFICE RAZOR smaranme nnvrca Ralph W. McMullen,Detroit, Mich, assignor of one-half to Herbert H. Rice, Detroit, Mich.

Application June 17, 1932, Serial No. 617,903

'1 Claims.

This invention relates generally to razor blade sharpening equipment andrefers more particularly to improvements in devices for conditioningrazor-blades.

The invention has as one of its primary objects to provide sharpeningequipment for razor blades distinguished by its simplicity inconstruction and operation which not only enhances its value bothmechanically and commercially, but provides a compact design capable ofbeing expediently manipulated to efliciently sharpen the cutting edgeportions of razor blades.'

Much of the commercial value and acceptability of the present inventionis attributed to the particular manner in which the sharpening devicefunctions to hone the cutting edge portions of the blade. In accordancewith this invention, continuous contact of the cutting edge portions ofthe blade with the cooperatingabrasive member during the sharpeningoperation is insured without any special attentioncon the part of theoperator, and, moreover, provision is made for automatically supportingthe blade at the proper cutting angle with respect to the aforesaidabrasive member.

Another advantageous feature of the present invention which contributesmaterially to the efficiency of operation of the device consists in theprovision of a design capable of sharpening the cutting edge portions ofrazor blades by mov-' ing the latter relative to the abrasive member indirections toward the aforesaid cutting edge portions thereof.

Another object of the present invention which provides for expeditingthe sharpening operation consists in the provision of a device having ablade holder fashioned to alternately move op-' posed cutting edgeportions of a blade in contact with an abrasive member upon movement ofthe device in opposite directions relative to the said member.

Still another object of this invention consists in the provision ofmeans associated with the device and movable into engagement with theblade holder for supporting the blade in the latter in a predeterminedfixed position suitable for stropping purposes as distinguished fromhoning.

A further advantageous feature consists in the provision ofmeansassociated with the device and operable in the fixed or stroppingposition of the blade holder to form a guard for one cutting edge of theblade during strapping of the other edge thereof.

A still further object of the present invention consists in theprovision of a relatively simple blade holder capable of being readilymanipulated to provide for expediently assembling a blade therewith andremoving the same therefrom.

In addition to the foregoing, the present inso vention consists in theprovision of means for rockably supporting the abrasive member duringthe sharpening operation so as to insure a continuous contact betweenthe cutting edge of the blade and upper surface of the abrasive memberwithout depending upon the skill of the operator.

A further advantages feature of this invention resides in the provisionof a case or container for the sharpening device and abrasive memberhaving means associated therewith for rockably' supporting the lattermember about its major axis for the purpose set forth in the precedingparagraph.

The foregoing as well as other objects will be made more apparent asthis description proceeds, especially when considered in connection withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a sharpening device constructedin accordance with this invention in association with an abrasive memberso rockably supported upon a part of the container for the latterelements;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the sharpening deviceshown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the sharpening devicein operative relationship to an abrasive member;

Figure 4 is a. sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 ofFigure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the sharpening device showing themanner in which the blade holder is held in a fixed predeterminedposition relative to the frame preparatory to the stropping operation;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing a slightly modified formof construction;

Figure 'l is a longitudinal sectional view through the sharpening deviceshown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing the sharpening device ina different position relative to the abrasive member; and

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 99 ofFigure 8.

Although both embodiments of the invention about to be described arereadily adaptable for use in sharpening various types of razor blades,nevertheless, for the purpose of illustration, I have shown thefollowing constructions as utilized for sharpening blades having doubleor opposed cutting edges. In general, both devices about to be describedare provided with blade holders rotatably mounted upon a frame andhaving beads or cam portions projecting laterally from oppositefacesthereof fashioned to not only support the cutting edges of theblade at the proper angle with respect to the abrasive member, but toalso rock the blade holder relative to the frame for alternatelyengaging opposite cutting edge portions of the blade with v the abrasivemember upon movement of the device in opposite directions with respectto the abrasive member. It will further be apparent that in eachembodiment of the invention sharpening of the opposed cutting edges ofthe blade is effected by moving the blade through the medium of theframe in a' direction toward the edge being sharpened. This arrangementinsures eflicient and expedient sharpening ofthe cutting edges of theblade.

Referring now more in detail to the specific embodiment of the inventionillustrated in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, it will be noted that thesharpening device 10 comprises a blade holder 11 mounted for rotationabout its major axis upon a frame 12. The frame 12 is substantiallyrectangular in shape having an upper bar 13 and a lower bar 14integrally connected at its the sharpening operation and also permitsthe,

holder to be readily removed from the frame.

The blade holder 11 comprises'the rotatably mounted section 18 and aclamping section 19 pivotally connected as at 2 0 to the section 18adjacent one end portion thereof. The pivotally mounted section 19 ofthe blade holder is provided with an ofiset finger engaging portion 21adjacent to the pivotal connection aforesaid and extending beyond thesame as shown in Figure 2. The arrangement is such that by merelydepressing the finger engaging portion 21, the remaining or bladeclamping portions of the section 19 are moved about the pivot 20 awayfrom the section 18 so as to provide for either removing or placing ablade between the aforesaidsections. The blade clamping portion of thesection 19 is normally yieldably urged into clamping relation withrespect to the section 18 by means of a coil spring 22 having one endseated within a recess 23 formed in the section 18 and having the otherend abutting the finger engaging portion 21 of the section 19.

The blade clamping portion of the section .19 is provided with a seriesof openings 24 therethrough spaced along the major axis of the holderand fashioned to receive suitable projections 25 extending laterallyfrom the section 18 toward the section 19. The projections 25 on thesection 18 are accurately spaced in dependence upon the usual openingsformed in razor blades and serve to accurately position the latterwithin the holder. Furthermore, the projections 25 actually preventtwisting or shifting of the blade relative to the holder when inoperative position with respect thereto.

In order to provide for alternately engaging the opposite cutting edgeportions of the blade with the abrasive members during movement of thesharpening device in opposite directions, each of the'sections aforesaidof the blade holder is formed with arcuate beads or cam portions 26 and27 extending along the major axes of the sections. As shown particularlyin Figure 4, the cam portions are arcuate in cross section so as toprovide for the desired rocking movement of the holder, and,furthermore, are so fashioned that the portions thereof adapted tocontact with the abrasive member during the-sharpening operation arearranged in a common plane with the beveled surface of the cutting edgebeing honed. The above arrangement is clearly shown in Figure 4 andinsures complete contact of the beveled surfaces transversely of theblade with the abrasive member.

With the device as thus far described, a blade to be sharpened isassembled with the holder by manipulation of the section 19 thereof inthe 'manner hereinbefore stated and the device is positioned relative toan abrasive member 30 as shown in Figure l with the arcuate bead 26 onthe section 18 in contact'with the upper surface of the abrasive member.The device is then moved in one direction relative to the abrasivemember causing the head 26 to rock the holder 11 in a direction toengage the lower beveled cutting edge extending in the direction ofmovement of the device with the upper surface of the abrasive member.After the device has been moved to the desired extent in the abovementioned direction, the same is moved in the opposite direction causingthe arcuate bead 26 to rock the holder in a direction to engage thelower bevel of the opposite'cutting edge with the upper surface of theabrasive member. Upon completion of the honing operation of the lowerbeveled surfaces of the cutting blade, the holder is merely inverted soas to position the upper beveled surfaces of the cutting edges adjacentthe abrasive member. The inversion of the holder relative to the frameis permitted owing to the rotative mounting of the holder with the frameand due to the fact that the upper bar 13 of the frame is spaced asuflicient distance laterally from the lower bar as to provide ampleclearance for the passage of the blade. In the inverted position of theholder, the bead 27 on the clamping section 19 of the holder is inengagement with the top surface of the abrasive member, and aduplication of the above operations serves to completely sharpen thecutting edges of the blade. Owing to the predetermined relationshipexisting between the contacting portions of the arcuate beads aforesaidand the beveled surfaces of the cutting edge portions of the blade,continuous contact of the latter surfaces with the abrasive membertransversely of the blade is insured.

As previously stated, it is one of the important features of thisinvention to provide means for stropping the cutting edges of the bladesubsequent to the honing operation, and this is accomplished hereinwithout removing the blade from the holder on the sharpening device. Ingeneral, means is provided upon the frame of the device for engaging theblade holder to maintain the same in the position shown in Figure 5wherein the top bar 13 of the frame forms a guard for the cutting edgeof the blade opposite the edge being stropped. In detail, a suitablelatch memberBl is slidably mounted upon the frame beyond the bladeholder and is fashioned for engagement within a slot 32 formed in theadjacent end of the holder. The slot 32 extends transversely of theholder in a common plane with'the-blade supp rted in the latter so thatengagement of the latch member 31 within the slot positions the blade inthe manner shown in Figure 5. When the blade is in this latter position,it will be apparent that one edge of the same may be readily stroppedwhile the other edge is protected by the upper bar of the frame.

When not in use, the sharpening device and abrasive member may becompactly arranged within a suitable case or container having a bottomsection designated herein by the reference character 33. As shown, thecase is provided with a compartment 34 for the sharpening device andwith a juxtapositioned compartment 35 for the abrasive member 30. Thelatter compartment is provided with a bottom wall 38 substantially V-shaped in cross section so as-to support the abrasive member in such amanner as to permit rocking movement of the latter about its major axisduring the sharpening operation. The arrangement is such that the uppersurface of the abrasive member automatically adjusts itself with respectto the cutting edges of the blade so as to insure continuous engagementof the cutting edges of the blade with the abrasive member. Thus, itwill be observed that the abrasive member need not be removed from itscontainer during the sharpening operation, and upon completion of thelatter function, the sharpening device may also be inserted within thecompartment 34 in the container whereupon a suitable cover (not shown)may be engaged with the container.

Referring now to the modified form of the construction shown in Figures6 to 9, inclusive, it will be noted that the blade holder 40 illustratedin the several views is basically similar to the blade holder 11hereinbefore described with the exception that the holder 40 is providedwith an enlargement 41 eccentrically arranged with respect to the majoraxis of the holder upon the side of the latter axis opposite the fingerengaging portion 42 of the holder so as to counterbalance the weight ofthe latter portion. The operation of the holder to provide forexpediently assembling the blade with and removing the same from theholder is substantially the same as defined in connection with the firstdescribed form of the invention. The cooperating engaging parts of theholder 40 are also provided with arcuate beads 43 identical inconstruction to the.

beads formed on the holder 11 for accomplishing the same results as thelatter. In the present embodiment of the invention, however, the bladeholder is moved relative to the abrasive member by means of a handle 44swivelly connected to the upper bar of the frame as at 45. Aswill beobserved from Figure 7, the handle is located at substantially thecenter of the sharp ening device which, together with the swivelconnection hereinbefore referred to, provides for the application ofeven pressure on the cutting edge of the blade during the sharpeningoperation without any special attention on the part of the user.

Although in a construction having a swivelly connected handle of thetype set forth above, it is not essential to provide for rockingmovement of the abrasive member to insure contact of the cutting edge ofthe blade throughout its length with the abrasive member, nevertheless,I have incorporated as a part of the latter modification an abrasivemember having a bead 50 formed on the lower surface of the abrasivemember in such a manner as to provide for rocking movement of the latterabout its major axis during the sharpening operation. The bead 50 mayeither be formed integral ,with the abrasive member or may beindependently fashioned and united to the abrasive memberin any suitablemanner. In this connection, it is to be noted that an abrasive member ofthis latter character may be also employed in association with thefirst'described form of the invention in which event the speciallyconstructed container hereinbefore referred to may be eliminated.

While only two embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed herein somewhat in detail, nevertheless, it is to beunderstood that various other modifications may be resorted to foreffecting the desired results set forth herein,

and, accordingly, reservation is made to make such changes as may comewithin the purview of the accompanying claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a razor blade sharpening device, a frame member, a handle for saidframe member loosemember, a handle for said frame member swivellyconnected to the same, a blade holder mounted upon the frame member forrotation relative thereto and having means for clamping a double-edgedblade thereto with the cutting edges projecting beyond oppositesidesthereof, and means on the holder engageable with an abrasive member foractuating the holder to alternately move the opposite cutting edges ofthe blade in contact with an abrasive member upon movement of the framein opposite directions relative to the abrasive member.

3. In a razor blade sharpening device, a frame member, a handle for saidframe member swivelly secured to the same, a blade holder mounted uponthe frame member for rocking movement about its major axis and havingmeans for securing a double-edged blade thereto with the cutting edgesof the blade extending beyond opposite sides thereof in substantialparallel relation with the major axis of the same, and means upon theholder engageable with an abrasive member for rocking the holder aboutits major axis to alternately engage the cutting edge portions of theblade with the abrasive member upon movement of the frame in oppositedirections relative to said latter member.

4. In a razor blade sharpening device, a frame member, a handle for saidframe member swivelly secured to the same, a blade holder mounted uponsaid frame member for rocking movement about its major axis and havingmeans associated therewith for clamping a double-edged blade theretowith the cutting edges of the blade extending substantially parallel tothe major axis of the holder laterally beyond opposite sides thereof,and a transversely curved bead integral with and extending the length ofsaid holder (:0- incident with the major axis thereof and engageablewith an abrasive member for rocking the holder to alternately engage theopposite cutting edges of the blade with the abrasive member uponmovement of the frame in opposite directions relative to the lattermember, said bead fashioned to provide for effecting continuousengagement of the beveled cutting surfaces of the blade with theabrasive member transversely of the blade.

5. In a razor blade sharpening device, a frame member, a handle for saidframe member swivelly secured to the same, a blade holder mounted uponthe frame for rotation about its major axis relative to the frame andhaving means for removably clamping a double-edged blade thereto withthe cutting edges of the blade extending substantially parallel to themajor axis of the holder and projecting laterally beyond opposite edgesthereof, and means on opposite sides of the holder formed integral andextending the full length thereof for selective engagement with anabrasive member for rocking the holder about its axis to alternatelyengage the cutting edges of the blade with the abrasive member uponmovement of the frame in opposite directions relative to the lattermember.

6. In a razor blade sharpening device, a frame member, a handle for saidframe member swivelly secured to the same, a blade holder mounted forrotation about its major axis upon the frame member and having means forremovably clamping a double-edged blade thereto with the cuting edges ofthe blade substantially parallel to the major axis of the holder andextending laterally beyond opposite edges of the latter, andtransversely curved beads formed on opposite sides of and integral withthe holder coincident with the major axis thereof and selectivelyengageable with an abrasive member for rocking the holder to alternatelyengage opposite cutting edges of the blade with the abrasive member uponmovement of the frame in opposite directions relative to the lattermember, both of said beads fashioned to extend the'full length of theblade holder to provide for continuous engagement of the beveledsurfaces of the blade with the abrasive member transversely of theblade. 7. In a razor blade sharpening device, a frame member, a bladeholder mounted for rocking movement upon the frame member and havingmeans associated therewith for clamping a double-edged blade theretowith the cutting edges of the blade projecting laterally beyond oppositeedges of the holder, means upon the holder and engageable with anabrasive member for rocking the holder to alternately engage theopposite cutting edges of the blade with the abrasive member uponmovement of the frame member in opposite directions relative to theabrasive member, and means slidably mounted upon the frame andengageabie with the holder for securing the same against movement in aposition to permit stropping one cutting edge of the blade.

RALPH W. MCMULLEN.

